DexcomOTC CGM (Dexcom G7 hardware, consumer app)Evidence-based assessment

Stelo by Dexcom review

Updated 2026-10-10

7.5
/ 10

Dexcom G7 hardware with no prescription gate — the cheapest way to get the G7 sensor. Best for biohackers who want the Dexcom G7 sensor at the best price, without a coaching subscription.

Stelo by Dexcom — ONDA review, scored 7.5/10

Stelo is Dexcom’s direct-to-consumer CGM for non-diabetic biohackers, cleared by the FDA in 2024 as the first OTC CGM in the US. Hardware is the Dexcom G7 sensor — the same sensor underneath Levels and Nutrisense — sold through Dexcom’s own app at $99 for two sensors (a one-month supply). Insight engine is simpler than Levels but the data is the same. It is the cheapest way to get the Dexcom G7 sensor.

How we tested: Evidence-based assessment — scored from Dexcom Stelo product documentation, Dexcom G7 validation literature and independent 2026 reviews. Not hands-on tested by ONDA.

Visit Dexcom official site →

[ SCORE_BREAKDOWN ]

Sensor accuracy and reliability

8.5

Dexcom G7 hardware, 15-day wear in the Stelo variant, 30-minute warm-up. In an independent head-to-head study (Eichenlaub et al. 2025) the G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 were similarly accurate; maker accuracy figures do not count as evidence in ONDA scores. Dexcom presents Stelo’s evidence honestly: the site lists its references and discloses that 77.9% of sensors lasted the full 15 days.

Insights and analysis quality

7.0

Solid meal-impact and daily time-in-range views. Less depth than Levels — no AUC decomposition or food-ranking history — but covers what most users need.

Coaching and guidance

5.5

No human coach; in-app AI guidance and educational content only. Coaching is the trade for the price.

App and integration UX

7.5

Dexcom Stelo app on iOS/Android with Apple Health integration. Limited third-party connectors compared with Levels.

Programme flexibility and data access

8.0

Buy one or many — no subscription required, sensors purchased as needed. 15-day wear gives more flexibility than 10-day G7 in Nutrisense (Levels now ships Stelo itself).

Value

8.5

$99 for two sensors (~30 days) or $89 on subscription. The best price for Dexcom G7 hardware available, no prescription required.

Pros

  • +Dexcom G7 hardware — same accuracy ceiling as Levels and Nutrisense
  • +FDA-cleared OTC — no prescription, no coaching subscription required
  • +Cheapest way to put Dexcom on your body
  • +15-day sensor wear in the Stelo variant — longer than standard G7

Cons

  • −Insight engine simpler than Levels — no food-by-food ranking history
  • −No human coach available — app-only guidance
  • −US-only (Dexcom-direct shipping)
  • −Limited third-party app integration compared with Levels

Price: $99 $99 for 2 sensors (~30 days), $89/mo on subscription; no Rx (as of 2026-09-30)

Where it leads

Stelo is the cheapest legitimate way to put Dexcom G7 on your arm and watch your glucose spikes in real time. The hardware is identical to what Levels and Nutrisense ship at two to three times the price — the same sensor, the same accuracy ceiling (in an independent head-to-head study (Eichenlaub et al. 2025) the G7 and Libre 3 were similarly accurate), the same 30-minute warm-up. What you give up is the wrapper: Stelo’s app is competent rather than category-leading, the coaching layer is in-app AI rather than a registered dietitian, and the integration ecosystem is narrower than Levels. As an OTC product cleared by the FDA in 2024 it requires no prescription, and you can buy sensors one pack at a time.

What are the downsides of Stelo?

Stelo's main downside is its simpler insight engine — that is the trade. Stelo gives meal-impact and time-in-range views; Levels adds AUC decomposition, food-by-food ranking history and a deeper analytics suite. There is no human coach, the third-party integration list is shorter, and US-only Dexcom-direct shipping limits international availability. If those features are the reason you are buying, Stelo is not the right tool.

Who should buy Stelo?

Choose Stelo if you want the Dexcom G7 sensor at the best price and you trust yourself to interpret the data. If you want the deepest insight engine on top of the same sensor, Levels. If you want a registered dietitian, Nutrisense. The hardware is identical in all three cases — you are paying for what sits above it.


Background reading

The metabolic biology these programmes surface — and the protocols the data unlocks.

Common questions

Is Stelo by Dexcom worth it?

Stelo is worth it if you want the Dexcom G7 sensor at the lowest price without a coaching subscription. It is FDA-cleared OTC, needs no prescription and offers 15-day sensor wear. Its insight engine is simpler than Levels, there is no human coach, and it ships US-only.

How much does Stelo cost?

Stelo costs $99 for two sensors, about 30 days of wear, or $89 per month on subscription. No prescription is needed. It is the cheapest way to put Dexcom hardware on your body.

Stelo vs Levels: which is better?

Both use Dexcom G7-platform hardware — Levels now ships Stelo sensors inside its membership. Stelo is cheaper and needs no coaching subscription. Levels has a deeper insight engine with food-by-food ranking history and broader third-party integration. Choose Stelo for price, Levels for insight depth.

What are the downsides of Stelo?

Stelo's insight engine is simpler than Levels, with no food-by-food ranking history. There is no human coach, only app guidance, it ships US-only through Dexcom, and third-party app integration is limited compared with Levels.

References

  1. Stelo — official site
  2. FDA — Stelo OTC CGM authorisation summary
  3. Garg et al. 2022 — Accuracy and safety of Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring in adults with diabetes (Diabetes Technol Ther)

Compared head-to-head

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